History of the Prison

The prison in Košice–Šaca traces its origins to 1 July 1969, when it was established by Order No. 10/1969 of the Minister of Justice as a Unit of the Correctional Education Corps. Penitentiary practice began in October of the same year. The original facility consisted of six former dormitory buildings of the Hydrostav company, located near the East Slovak Ironworks in Košice. In 1977, the prison was expanded by four more buildings of the same type. This expansion increased accommodation capacity for sentenced prisoners and included the establishment of an admission unit, a school centre, a visiting room for prisoners, a medical centre, a laundry complex, and vehicle garages.

Another stage of construction began in 1988. The original expansion plans changed significantly after 1989. Eventually, a new canine training area was established, a public road and a complex of private garages were relocated, and the key result of the expansion was the completion of a three-storey accommodation block for prisoners in 1995 and an administrative building in 1998. These developments improved the working conditions of prison staff, most of whom moved into new or renovated premises. New operational control rooms, guard shift offices, the main prison entrance, a staff canteen, and other facilities were constructed. In 2001, the prison renovated two former administrative buildings and converted the office spaces into service flats—providing 16 three-room apartments for staff. In 2020, the administrative building was renovated again.

Shortly after its establishment, the prison held juvenile sentenced prisoners. From 1970, it began housing adult male prisoners assigned to second correctional group. Following the prison riot in Leopoldov in March 1990, a group of 120 prisoners from third correctional group was temporarily placed in this prison for one year. Once the situation was resolved, from 1991, the facility again housed only prisoners classified under the medium security level—until 2010, when the prison was re-profiled. Since February 2010, it has provided imprisonment for men sentenced to terms under the minimum security level.

The Present

Currently, the prison provides imprisonment for sentenced male prisoners classified under minimum and medium security levels, with a ratio of approximately 4:1. The total capacity is 804 prisoners. There are 248 members of the Corps and 29 employees of the Corps currently working at the prison.

The main accommodation block is a U-shaped building divided into twelve housing units. Three of these units house prisoners under medium security level. The accommodation consists of 8- to 10-bed rooms. In the basement, there are food distribution areas and two dining halls (each with 120 seats), a prison barber's room, education rooms, vocational training workshops, and workspaces for prisoners. Three additional smaller buildings within the prison grounds also serve as housing facilities. One unit is specifically designated for prisoners with disabilities.

Since 2012, the prison has provided court-ordered sex offender treatment, and since 2017, it has also provided court-ordered treatment for alcohol and drug addictions as well as pathological gambling.

Originally, the prison was established to utilise the labour potential of sentenced prisoners in the East Slovak Ironworks. Following socio-economic changes, including privatisation and a complete shift in the company’s production and commercial strategies, the prison had to seek alternative employment opportunities both inside and outside its premises. Suitable areas were adapted to support a wide range of services, light production, and auxiliary tasks, including workspaces and handling areas. The total production and employment area exceeds 1,800 m². The prison has a long tradition in sewing workwear and simple garments. Today, prisoners work in various on-site work areas (a textile workshop producing underwear and clothing, laundry, kitchen, maintenance, etc.) as well as off-site (industrial park, bakery, waste recycling, and seasonal work in construction and agriculture).

Cultural and Educational Activities

Within the scope of cultural and educational activities, prisoners may participate in various sports and cultural events. Concerts, lectures, and discussions are regularly organised. For sports, they have access to football, volleyball, foot tennis, basketball courts, and outdoor fitness areas located within the prison. In addition to regular sports tournaments and events, the prison organises its own Mini-Marathon—a 4,200-metre run for prisoners—annually during the International Peace Marathon in Košice. This event has become a tradition and enjoys great popularity among the prison population.

For nearly 25 years, prisoners have also been publishing their own magazine titled Lúč. Vocational education is offered in cooperation with the Secondary School of Industrial Technologies in Košice–Šaca, including a 3-year programme in Mechanical Engineering – Machines and Equipment Repair, a 3-year programme in Electromechanics – Heavy Current Technology, and a 2-year programme in Mechanical Production. In partnership with the Faculty of Law of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, the educational programme Law for Every Day is held annually.

Spiritual Care

Spiritual care is provided by a chaplain who is a member of the Corps of Prison and Court Guard and also offers pastoral support to staff. The prison operates a chapel dedicated to St Vincent de Paul, with a capacity of 60 seats. The prison ensures conditions for religious activities of all churches registered in Slovakia.

International Cooperation

As part of international cooperation, the prison maintains active relations with the Hungarian prison service facility in Sátoraljaújhely. This cooperation focuses on the exchange of professional knowledge and experience, establishing new contacts, study visits, historical excursions, and participation in sports events.

Leisure Time

Prison staff actively participate in a wide range of sports and competitions, achieving excellent results in dog-handling contests, shooting competitions, and team and individual sports such as futsal, ice hockey, floorball, wrestling, kickboxing, sport shooting, orienteering, and powerlifting. One notable success was winning a regional goulash cooking contest.